The new firearms legislation is designed
to make licensed gun owners more responsible. But gun
lobbyists and security experts believe that tightening
controls on legal firearms is increasing the market for
illegal guns, which are already easy to access if the price
is right.
This Tuesday, Special Assignment reveals
just how easy it is to buy illegal firearms. Producer
Jessica Pitchford introduces us to criminals in Soweto and
Alexandra who know exactly where to find firearms of any
description.
“There
are many illegal guns in Soweto”, says Bill, who claims to
be a robber and hijacker. “The Government doesn’t give us
jobs, so we try to make a living with guns… if you give me
money, I’ll get you a gun… you can do the job, then later
bring it back… or you can buy one at the hostels.”
At Dube hostel in Soweto, we bought a
firearm called a Protector, with a 12-round magazine. It
cost a thousand rand, which is probably what it would cost
new, but security experts say the fact that the firearm
isn’t traceable adds value on the black market.
The Black Gun Owners Association says
some of its members are opting for illegal firearms because
their applications for gun licences are being turned down.
But there is no long-term research to say that this is
actually happening.
The only thing we were able to prove is
that there are plenty of firearms for sale on the black
market.
In
Alexandra were bought a 9mm parabellum for R1 100, and a
Baby Browning and ammunition for R500. In the Eastern Cape,
which recorded the highest murder rate in the country in the
past year, our team was offered a 9mm, a point 2.2 revolver,
a hand grenade, an R4 rifle and a pistol. Most of these
weapons have been circulating since the disbandment of the
Transkei Defence Force.
The documentary entitled “Guns For Sale”
is a startling look at just how easy it is to buy the
weapons used in the robberies, heists and hijackings that
are crippling our society.
Guns for Sale
is directed by Jessica Pitchford and was
filmed by Dudley Saunders and Ivan Oberholzer.
